Modular panel fastening system

ABSTRACT

A modular panel fastening system which has a reduced number of parts, is light weight and requires no specialized training to assemble and disassemble. The system includes a fastening module attached to an end of a first modular panel and a fastener receiving module attached to an end of a second modular panel. Within the fastening module the fastener is attached to a post. The fastener includes a hook which extends out from the edge of the first modular panel. The fastener receiving module has a post and an opening facing away from the second modular panel. The opening is sized to receive the fastener. The post of the fastener receiving module is sized to accept the hook of the fastener. The two panels are brought together with the fastener of the first panel facing the opening of the second panel. Then, the hook is placed inside the opening at a point above the post inside the fastener receiving module. Next, the first panel is moved downward so the hook engages the post. This securely fastens the first panel to the second panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. The Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to the display of product and services at trade shows and the like, and more specifically to a novel system for fastening modular panels used for displaying products and services.

[0003] 2. Technical Background

[0004] Many methods of advertising and marketing are known in the art. One method which has proven to be highly successful, particularly when new products, services or a new company is desired to be introduced within a certain industry, is the trade show. Hundreds of trade shows are conducted annually throughout the United States and the world. The industry trade show provides an opportunity for manufacturers and sellers of goods within a particular industry to display their goods. The trade show also provides the opportunity for buyers of specific types of goods to have access to multiple suppliers at one time and in one location.

[0005] Trade shows are typically held in a convention hall or arena. A typical trade show catering to a specific industry comprises a large open area which is physically separated into several booths, each booth being occupied by a vendor.

[0006] Businesses within or dealing with the subject industry are invited to observe and/or sample the products and services offered by the vendors. However, those displaying at a trade show must work with the minimal equipment provided in order to set up a display.

[0007] Businesses displaying at trade shows often base a significant percentage of their direct orders on contacts made at trade shows. Accordingly, vendors must be mindful not only that the goods and/or services which they offer are of the finest quality, but also that their booth presentation is appealing to the target buyer. Often, the amount of time, effort and money which is spent on the presentation of the vendor's wares rivals that spent on the manufacturing of those same wares.

[0008] Vendors frequently use modular paneling as part of their presentation display. Modular paneling is used to divide one vendor's booth from another vendor's booth and as mounted or freestanding display units. The modular paneling allows vendors to assemble, disassemble, and transport their displays from one location to another.

[0009] However, these systems are difficult to assemble. Many modular systems employ small parts that may be easily lost causing frustration to the user. The modular systems are difficult to assemble and may require multiple users for assembly. Often the method of assembly is complex requiring a considerable level of skill and specialized tools. Also, the time required for assembly or disassembly is substantial.

[0010] Furthermore, because the modular panels are used for display in the busy, congested environment of a convention, the panels must be fastened securely and be able to withstand significant stress. Unfortunately, the current fastening systems can become unfastened or break causing the panels to collapse.

[0011] Accordingly, it would be a significant advancement in the art to provide a fastening system, with easy to assemble modular panels. It would be a further advancement in the art to provide a system wherein the fastening system is integrated into the modular panels such that there are no small parts to lose. It would be an additional advancement to provide a fastening system whereby a single user with no specialized skills or tools could rapidly assemble and disassemble the modular panels. It would be yet another advancement in the art to provide a fastening system able to withstand significant stress.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The system of the present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available modular panel fastening systems. Thus, the present invention provides a modular panel fastening system which integrates the fastener components into the modular panel, may be assembled and disassembled by one person, and requires little skill to assemble.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the modular panel fastening system includes a fastening module attached to a first end of a modular panel and a fastener receiving module attached to second end of a modular panel. In the preferred embodiment, the fastening module is attached to the end of a first modular panel and the fastener receiving module is attached to the end of a second modular panel. The fastening module and fastener receiving module may be located at any point along an edge of the modular panel. Preferably, these modules are located on the corners of the modular panels.

[0014] The fastening module and fastener receiver module cooperate to fasten a first modular panel to a second modular panel. Alternatively, the modular panel fastening system may be used to fasten two ends of a single flexible modular panel to each other. The fastening module is attached to the frame of a first modular panel and the fastener receiving module is attached to the frame of a second modular panel. In an alternative embodiment, there may be a plurality of fastening modules attached to the frame of the first modular panel and a corresponding plurality of fastener receiving modules attached to the frame of the second modular panel.

[0015] The fastening module includes a housing, a post fixed within the housing, and a fastener secured to the post. The fastener sits partially within the housing, with a portion of the fastener extending from the housing. The fastener serves to engage a post of the fastener receiving module such that the two modules are joined together.

[0016] The fastener includes a body, a chamber within the body sized to accommodate the post of the fastening module, and a pair of post engaging members which are formed as part of the fastener body. The pair of post engaging members extend into the chamber of the fastener. The fastener may also include two shoulders, one on the front surface of the fastener and the second one on the back surface of the fastener.

[0017] Preferably, the fastener is a separate piece from the housing or post pieces of the fastening module. The fastener is generally rectangular in shape having the chamber on one side within the body and a protruding member on the other side of the body. The protruding member is shaped in the form of a hook. The hook is sized to surround the majority of a second post located within the fastener receiving module. The fastener and the second post may be made of any combination of materials which enables the hook of the fastener to snap around the second post. These materials include hard plastic, metal alloys, or the like.

[0018] The fastener receiving module is preferably made of the same components as the fastener module. The fastener receiving module includes a housing and a post. Preferably, the housing and post are in substantially the same shape and location as the housing and post of the fastening module.

[0019] To assemble the modular panel fastening system the fastening module is brought in close proximity to the fastener receiving module. The fastening module is positioned to face the fastener receiving module. The fastener of the fastening module is inserted into a cavity within the fastener receiving module such that the hook of the fastener is positioned atop the post of the fastener receiving module. The user assembling the modular panel fastening system then applies a downward force to the fastening module such that the hook of the fastening module snaps around the post of the fastener receiving module. The snapping around the post secures the fastening module to the fastener receiving module. Thus, the end of one modular panel is fastened to the end of a second modular panel.

[0020] In an alternative embodiment, the modular panel fastening system further includes a tongue and a groove. Tongue and groove assemblies are well known. Preferably, the tongue is attached to an end of a first modular panel and the groove is attached to an end of a second modular panel. Alternatively, the tongue and groove may be attached to opposite ends of a single modular panel. The tongue and groove may be sized to extend the majority of the length of their respective ends of the modular panels. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of corresponding tongues and grooves may be attached to the ends of first and second modular panels.

[0021] The tongue fits within the groove to provide additional securement support between the ends of the two modular panels. The tongue is configured to fit securely within the groove. The more tightly the tongue fits within the groove, the higher the resistance of a joined tongue and groove to tear and/or shear forces which are placed on the fastening system. The tongue and groove are made from material common in the art, including hard plastic, rubber, metal, and other like materials.

[0022] Alternatively, the tongue may include a pair of lips which engage a corresponding pair of lips formed within the groove. When the tongue is placed within the groove, the lips of the tongue interlock with the lips of the groove to provide effective fastening of the tongue within the groove. A pair of lips on the tongue and a corresponding pair of lips on the inside walls of the groove provide stronger fastening than a tongue and groove configuration without lips.

[0023] The tongue and groove cooperate with the fastening module and fastener receiving module to secure the two modular panels against shearing and/or tearing forces the modular panel fastening system may experience. The hook and post configuration between the fastening module and the fastener receiving module together with the joined tongue and groove complement each other in keeping the two modular panels fastened together.

[0024] The location of the fastening module, fastener receiving module, tongue, and groove may vary considerably. However, a fastening module and a fastener receiving module and a tongue and groove make up a fastening pair. The fastening features of one member of a fastening pair may not exist without the pair's match. Therefore, for each fastening module, fastener receiving module, tongue or groove positioned along one side of a first modular panel a corresponding fastening module, fastener receiving module, tongue or groove must be positioned on the second modular panel.

[0025] Preferably, the fastening modules and tongue are positioned on the end of the same modular panel while fastener receiving modules and grooves are correspondingly positioned on the end of a second modular panel. This configuration facilitates assembly of the modular panels into a display because the members with protruding features are on one panel while members which receive protruding features are the other panel. This configuration makes it easier for the user to align the fastening modules and tongue on one modular panel with the fastener receiving module and groove of the second modular panel.

[0026] In the preferred embodiment, a fastening module is located on each corner of one side of a first modular panel with a tongue running the length of the end of the panel located between the corners. A corresponding fastener receiving module is located on each corner of a second module panel with a groove running the length of the end of the second panel located between the corners. This arrangement facilitates the joining of the first panel to the second panel.

[0027] In the present invention, joining two modular panels is a simple process. A first modular panel having fastening modules on two corners of one end and tongue between the two corners is positioned in the booth of a trade show. A second modular panel having fastener receiving modules on two corners of one end and a groove between the two corners is positioned such that the end of the second modular panel faces the end of the first modular panel. The two facing ends are then brought into close proximity. The user lifts the first panel a few inches vertically and slides the first panel closer to the second panel. Next, the user guides the hooks of the two fastening modules into cavities within the fastener receiving modules and the tongue into the groove as the user brings the two facing ends closer together. Once the tongue is inside the groove, the two facing ends are close enough to secure the hooks of the fastening modules to the posts of fastener receiving modules. This is done by applying a downward force on the first panel. The downward force causes the hooks to engage the posts. The two modular panels are now fastened in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The foregoing and other features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0029]FIG. 1 is an elevation view of two modular panels fastened according to the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the main components of the fastening module.

[0031]FIG. 3 is a cut away view illustrating an installed fastening module.

[0032]FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a fastener of the fastening module.

[0033]FIG. 5 is a cut away elevation view illustrating two panels positioned to be fastened according to the present invention.

[0034]FIG. 6 is an elevation view illustrating a fastener which is positioned to engage a post of a fastener receiving module of the fastening system.

[0035]FIG. 7 is an elevation view illustrating a fastener beginning to engage a post of a fastener receiving module of the fastening system.

[0036]FIG. 8 is an elevation view illustrating a fastener having fully engaged a post of a fastener receiving module of the fastening system.

[0037]FIG. 9 is a plan view of the assembled fastening system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] Reference is now made to the drawings in which like components are designated with like reference numbers throughout. Referring first to FIG. 1, an assembled modular panel system 10 is illustrated. A freestanding system 10 is illustrated consisting of two modular panels 12. One panel 12 is curved so that it renders the system 10 freestanding. The panels 12 may also be fastened to a wall or other support. Alternatively, the panels 12 may be straight and fitted with feet to render the panels freestanding. Or, the panels 12 may be fastened at an angle to render the system 10 freestanding. While FIG. 1 illustrates two panels 12, any number of panels 12 may be used of a straight, curved, or angled nature and still be consistent with the present invention. For example, a panel 12 may be made of flexible materials such that one end is capable of fastening with the opposite end of the same panel. Thereby, rendering a single panel freestanding.

[0039] Preferably, a majority of the components of the present invention are fabricated from hard plastic. Plastic is used because of its light weight, rigid nature, and low cost. Other materials are preferred where plastic does not meet the functional characteristics required of the component. In other embodiments, the present invention components may be fabricated from any rigid material such as wood, metal, hard rubber, fiber glass or the like.

[0040] A frame 14 defines the perimeter of the panel 12. The frame 14 is constructed from rigid plastic molded into strips and cut to size. Frame 14 encompasses a body 16 of the panel 12. The body 16 is made from semi-flexible plastic and covered with a display surface 17. The display surface 17 may be made of a various materials including fabric loop, fabric, dry-erase marker material, either half of velcro material, steel, and like materials such that information may be affixed to the display surface 17.

[0041] In FIG. 1, fastening modules 28 are located at or near corners 29 of the frame 14. Alternatively, the fastening modules 28 may be located at any position along the frame 14. The system 10 may comprise one or more fastening modules 28. For each fastening module 28 there is a corresponding fastener receiving module 58 located on a second panel 12.

[0042] Referring now to FIG. 2, a fastening module 28 comprises a housing 21 having two sides 23, a post 32 and a fastener 30 (in phantom). The housing 21 fixedly secures the fastener 30 by way of the post 32 and lips 24 which run along the perimeter of each housing side 23. The post 32 positions the fastener 30 between the housing sides 23. Preferably, the housing 21 is made from two separate housing sides 23. Alternatively, the housing 21 may be formed as a single piece with the post 32 formed between the two housing 21 sides.

[0043] The entire post 32 could also be formed as part of one housing side 23 and the other housing side 23 comprising a receiving hole configured to fit tightly on to the free end of the post 32. Preferably, an interlocking half post 31 is formed as part of each housing side 23. The housing 21 is assembled by positioning the fastener 30 around one half post 31, and then joining one half post 31 to the other to form a complete post 32. Next, the housing sides 23 are pressed together to lock one half post 31 to the other. The two housing sides 23 are held together by the inter-locking half posts 31 and the structure of the frame 14 (see FIG. 1.) The post 32 separates the two housing sides 23 such that a cavity 22 is formed. The cavity 22 is sized to correspond to the width of the fastener 30.

[0044] Preferably, a fastener receiving module 58 comprises all the components of the fastening module 28 except the fastener 30. Therefore, a fastener receiving module 58 may be illustrated by reference to FIG. 2. The post 32 of the fastener receiving module 28 is sized and configured within the housing 21 in the same manner as the post 32 of the fastening module 28. The cavity 22 of the fastener receiving module 58 is sized to receive the hook 36 of a fastener 30. Having the fastening module 28 and fastener receiving module 58 comprise substantially the same components facilitates fabrication and maintenance of the modular panels. The difference between the two modules is the absence or presence of a fastener 30. Fastening modules 28 and fastener receiving modules 58 are interchangeable. This saves time and money for the manufacturer.

[0045] Referring generally to FIG. 3 and specifically to FIG. 4, a fastener 30 comprises a body 37, a hook 36, a chamber 39, and a pair of post engaging members 42. These are described in detail below. These parts are important to better understand FIG. 3.

[0046] Referring now specifically to FIG. 3, an assembled fastening module 28 is illustrated. This close-up, cut away view illustrates the fastening module 28 in detail. The illustrated fastening module 28 is configured to fit on the corner 29 of a frame 14. Alternatively, the fastening module may be configured to allow positioning at any point along the frame 14. FIG. 3 illustrates, by the cut away portion, how the post 32 is positioned within the chamber 39 of the body 37 of the fastener 30. The position and orientation of the hook 36 are also illustrated.

[0047] In assembling the fastening module 28 illustrated in FIG. 3, the fastener 30 may be affixed to the post 32 before the two housing sides 23 are assembled. The fastener 30 is fixed to the post 32 by positioning the free end of a first post half 31 in a chamber 39 of a fastener 30 between the opposing post engaging members 42 and sliding the fastener 30 over the first post half 31 until the fastener 30 rests on the housing side 23 that is secured to the first post half 31. Then, the free end of a second post half 31 is positioned in the chamber 39 between the opposing post engaging members 42. Next, the two housing sides 23 are pressed firmly together to lock the post halves 31. Alternatively, the fastener 30 may be positioned around the post 32 by passing the two post halves 31 through the chamber 39 and assembling the two fastening housing sides 23. Then, the post 32 is slid between the post engaging members 42 until the post 32 snaps into place and rests on the faces 44 of the post engaging members 42.

[0048] Referring now to FIG. 4, a fastener 30 comprises a body 37, a hook 36, a chamber 39, and a pair of post engaging members 42. Body 37 is configured with shoulders 46 which hold the fastener 30 tightly against the frame 14 (see FIG. 3.) Shoulders 46 prevent rotational movement of the fastener 30 about the longitudinal axis of the post 32. The body 37 also includes a rim 40. Rim 40 ensures proper separation of the housing sides 23 (see FIG. 3.)

[0049] Chamber 39 is formed within the center of the body 37 and extends towards one end. A hook 36 extends out from the end opposite the chamber 39. Within the chamber 39 are a pair of opposing post engaging members 42. The post engaging members 42 extend from the sides of the body 37 into the chamber 39 to face each other. Preferably, the post engaging members are formed as part of the body 37. The post engaging members 42 are configured with a rounded face 44 and sized such that a circular post 32 (see FIG. 3) fits tightly on the rounded faces 44 between the opposing post engaging members 42.

[0050] Referring still to FIG. 4, the end of the body 37 opposite the chamber 39 is configured to form hook 36. At the distal end of hook 36, interference portion 38 projects downward and substantially toward the center of the body 37. The hook 36 and interference portion 38 form a slot 34 between them. Hook 36 and interference portion 38 are configured such that slot 34 may snappingly engage a post 32. Hook 36 serves as a main support structure to secured the two panels 12 together.

[0051] Referring now to FIG. 5, panels 12 are secured together by fastening module 28 and fastener receiving module 58. In order to secure the panels 12, a user inserts hook 36 of fastening module 28 of a first panel 12 into cavity 22 of fastener receiving module 58 of a second panel 12. FIG. 5 illustrates the positions of the panels 12, the fastening modules 28, the fastener receiving modules 58, and the tongue 18 and groove 20 just before the hooks 36 engage the posts 32 of the fastener receiving modules 58.

[0052]FIG. 6 illustrates in detail how hook 36 engages post 32 of a fastener receiving module 58. The positioning of the panels, as illustrated in FIG. 5, brings hook 36 into the position illustrated in FIG. 6. The dashed lines illustrate where the housing sides 23 may be located in relation to the hook 36 and post 32. Hook 36 rests on top of post 32. When interference portion 38 of hook 36 encounters post 32 an interference angle 48 is formed. Interference portion 38 prevents the post 32 from entering slot 34.

[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 1-6 generally and specifically to FIG. 7, completing assembly requires a user to apply a downward force F_(d) to the hook 36. This force is best applied by pushing the panel that has the fastening module attached downward (see FIG. 3.) As a user applies downward force F_(d) on the hook 36, the interference angle 48 (in FIG. 6) causes the downward force F_(d) to be translated such that the post 32 is acted upon by force F₁ and hook 36 is acted upon by force F₂ in the opposite direction. The forces F₁ and F₂ cause the interference portion 38 of the hook 36 to be deflected in the amount of the interference deflection 50 and interference angle 48 (see FIG. 6) to become interference angle 49. As the user continues to apply a downward force, the interference deflection 50 allows the post 32 to slide past the interference portion 38 into slot 34.

[0054] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-7 generally and specifically to FIG. 8. Once the post 32 has slid past the interference portion 38, the post 32 and hook 36 rebound elastically to their previous positions. The post 32 is held securely in the slot 34 until a user applies upward pressure reversing the process.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 9, a plan view of the fastening module 28 and fastener receiving module 58 is illustrated. The posts 32 of the first and second panels 12 are illustrated in phantom. Post securing members 42 are secured around post 32 of the first panel 12 thus placing the fastener 30 in contact with the frame 14 of the first panel 12. Hook 36 of the fastener 30 holds the post 32 of the second panel 12 in slot 34. Interface 60 is formed by the tight meeting of the frames 14 of the first and second panels 12. When the system 10 is in use, the panels 12 are exposed to a side to side sheer force F₅. The tight interface 60, the tongue 18, the groove 20, and the fastener 30 all combine to withstand sheer force F₅ and strengthen the system 10.

[0056] Referring more specifically to FIG. 5, additional support for the assembled system 10 is provided by the tongue 18 and groove 20 of the frame 14. A tongue 18 is positioned along the frame 14 of one panel 12. A corresponding groove 20 is positioned in the second panel 12 along the side 26 which faces the tongue 18 of the first panel 12. The tongue 18 and groove 20 are sized and configured such that when the system 10 is assembled the tongue 18 fits securely in groove 20 to stabilize the system 10. Alternatively, the tongue 18 and groove 20 may have lips sized and configured such that joining the tongue 18 within the groove 20 causes the lips of the tongue 18 to interlock with the lips of the groove 20. The interlocking lips improve the stabilizing ability of the tongue 18 and groove 20. The tongue 18 and its corresponding groove 20 run the length of the side 26 between the two corners 29. There may be a plurality of tongues 18 located at any point along a side 26 and a corresponding plurality of grooves 20 located at any point along a second side 26.

[0057] The tongue 18 and groove 20 aide in alignment of hook 36 during assembly. As the user brings the first panel 12 toward the second panel 12, positioning the tongue 18 within the groove 20 aides in the alignment of the hook 36 inside the cavity 22 of the fastener receiving module 58. The tongue 18 within the groove 20 and the hook 36 within the cavity 22 help to guide the protruding members of the first panel into the corresponding receiving members of the second panel 12. The tongue 18 and groove 20 give additional support and strength to the assembled system that allows the system 10 to withstand considerable stress.

[0058] From the above discussion, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides a system for fastening modular panels. The fastening system is integrated into the panels thereby eliminating the need for additional hardware and tools for assembling the panels. The fastening system allows the panels to be rapidly assembled and disassembled by an unskilled user.

[0059] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
 1. A modular panel fastening system comprising: a fastening module securely attached to a first end of a modular panel the fastening module further comprising a fastener; a fastener receiving module disposed in a second end of a modular panel such that the fastener receiving module is capable of receiving the fastener; and wherein the fastener comprises a hook configured to engage a first post disposed within the fastener receiving module thereby securing the first end to the second end.
 2. A modular panel fastening system as in claim 1, wherein the first end and the second end are opposite ends of the same panel.
 3. A modular panel fastening system as in claim 1, wherein the first end comprises a first modular panel frame and the second end comprises a second modular panel frame.
 4. A modular panel fastening system as in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fastening modules disposed along the first end and a corresponding plurality of fastener receiving modules disposed along the second end.
 5. A modular panel fastening system as in claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises shoulders which secure the fastener within the fastening module.
 6. A modular panel fastening system as in claim 1, wherein the modular panel is made of flexible material which allows the first end to be fastened to the second end.
 7. A modular panel fastening system as in claim 1, wherein the fastening module further comprises: a housing; a second post disposed within the housing; and a fastener which surrounds the second post and is disposed within the housing.
 8. A modular panel fastening system as in claim 7, wherein the fastener comprises: a body; a hook configured to engage said first post; a chamber within the body configured to surround said second post; a pair of post engaging members formed as part of the body and protruding into the chamber; and wherein the pair of post engaging members are configured to cooperate in engaging the second post.
 9. A modular panel fastening system comprising: a fastening module securely attached to a first end of a modular panel the fastening module further comprising a fastener; a fastener receiving module disposed in a second end of a modular panel such that the fastener receiving module is capable of receiving the fastener; a tongue attached the first end and configured to fit securely within a groove formed in the second end when the first end is fastened to the second end; and wherein the fastener comprises a hook configured to engage a first post disposed within the fastener receiving module thereby securing the first end to the second end.
 10. A modular panel fastening system as in claim 9, wherein the first end comprises a first modular panel frame and the second end comprises a second modular panel frame.
 11. A modular panel fastening system as in claim 10, wherein the tongue extends for substantially the length of the first end and the groove extends for substantially the length of the second end.
 12. A modular panel fastening system as in claim 11, further comprising a plurality of fastening modules disposed along the first modular panel frame and a corresponding plurality of fastener receiving modules disposed along the second modular panel frame.
 13. A modular panel fastening system as in claim 12, wherein the hook is sized to snap around the post when the fastening module is fastened to the fastener receiving module.
 14. A modular panel fastening system as in claim 13, wherein the fastener is made of plastic.
 15. A modular panel fastening system comprising: a fastening module securely attached to a first modular panel frame the fastening module further comprising a fastener; a fastener receiving module attached to a second modular panel frame such that the fastener receiving module is capable of receiving the fastener; a tongue attached along the length of the first modular panel frame and configured to fit securely within a groove attached along the length of the second modular panel frame; and wherein the fastener comprises a hook configured to engage a first post disposed within the fastener receiving module thereby cooperating with the tongue and groove to secure a first modular panel to a second modular panel.
 16. A modular panel fastening system as in claim 15, wherein the tongue comprises a pair of lips capable of engaging a pair of lips of the groove.
 17. A modular panel fastening system as in claim 15, wherein a pair of fastening modules are positioned on the corners of one side of the first modular panel frame and a corresponding pair of fastener receiving modules are positioned on the corners of one side of the second modular panel.
 18. A modular panel fastening system as in claim 17, wherein the tongue is positioned on the side of the first modular panel frame between the fastening modules and the groove is positioned on the side of the second modular panel frame between the fastener receiving modules.
 19. A modular panel fastening system as in claim 18, wherein the tongue is made of plastic.
 20. A modular panel fastening system as in claim 19, wherein the fastener is made of plastic. 